Lens barrel and image capturing device

ABSTRACT

A lens barrel includes: a first lens; a first tube that holds the first lens and moves along an optical axis; a focusing lens; an actuator that drives the focusing lens; and a second tube that holds the focusing lens and the actuator and moves along the optical axis.

This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 16/308,650 filed Dec. 10,2018, which is a National Stage Application of PCT/JP2017/021599 filedJun. 12, 2017, which in turn claims priority to Japanese Application No.2016-116105 filed Jun. 10, 2016, and Japanese Application No.2016-116106 filed Jun. 10, 2016. The entire disclosures of the priorapplications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a lens barrel and an image capturingdevice.

BACKGROUND ART

A zooming lens barrel known in the related art comprises a fixed lensgroup, a variable magnification lens group and a focusing lens group(see PTL1). In this zooming lens barrel, a focusing lens drive sourcesupported at the lens barrel is connected with a focusing lens holdingframe so that the focusing lens group, driven by the drive source, isable to move along a direction of the optical axis.

However, since a variable magnification lens holding frame must be setapart from the drive source and the like over sufficient distances inorder to ensure that the variable magnification lens holding frame doesnot obstruct the focusing lens drive source and the like while thevariable magnification lens holding frame moves along the optical axisduring a zooming operation, the overall length of the lens barrel isbound to become significant.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   PTL1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 3186543

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A lens barrel according to a first aspect of the present inventioncomprises: a first lens; a first tube that holds the first lens andmoves along an optical axis; a focusing lens; an actuator that drivesthe focusing lens; and a second tube that holds the focusing lens andthe actuator and moves along the optical axis.

An image capturing device according to a second aspect of the presentinvention includes the lens barrel according to the first aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 A perspective of a camera system of an interchangeable-lens type,according to a first embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 2 A sectional view of part of the interchangeable lens barrel in anextended state

FIG. 3 A sectional view of part of the interchangeable lens barrel in anextended state

FIG. 4 A drawing pertaining to part of the interchangeable lens barrelin an exploded view

FIG. 5 A drawing pertaining to part of the interchangeable lens barrelin an exploded view

FIG. 6 A drawing pertaining to part of the interchangeable lens barrelin an exploded view

FIG. 7 A sectional view of part of the interchangeable lens barrel in acontracted state

FIG. 8 A perspective of a camera system of an interchangeable-lens type,according to a second embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 9 A sectional view of part of the interchangeable lens barrel in anextended state

FIG. 10 A sectional view of part of the interchangeable lens barrel inan extended state

FIG. 11 A sectional view of part of the interchangeable lens barrel inan extended state

FIG. 12 A sectional view of part of the interchangeable lens barrel inan extended state

FIG. 13 A drawing pertaining to part of the interchangeable lens barrelin an exploded view

FIG. 14 A drawing pertaining to part of the interchangeable lens barrelin an exploded view

FIG. 15 A drawing pertaining to part of the interchangeable lens barrelin an exploded view

FIG. 16 A sectional view of part of the interchangeable lens barrel in acontracted state

FIG. 17 A sectional view of part of the interchangeable lens barrel in acontracted state

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

In reference to FIGS. 1 through 7 , the first embodiment of the lensbarrel will be described.

FIG. 1 shows, in a perspective, a camera system of aninterchangeable-lens type, having the lens barrel according to theembodiment included as an interchangeable lens thereof. A camera system1 includes a camera body 100 and an interchangeable lens barrel 200 thatcan be detachably mounted at the camera body 100.

A body-side lens mount 101, at which the interchangeable lens barrel 200is detachably mounted, is disposed at the camera body 100. A lens-sidelens mount 201, corresponding to the body-side lens mount 101, at whichthe camera body 100 is detachably mounted, is disposed at theinterchangeable lens barrel 200. As the interchangeable lens barrel 200is mounted at the camera body 100, a contact group 102, which is locatedon the body-side lens mount 101 and is made up with a plurality ofcontacts, becomes connected with a contact group 202, which is disposedon the lens-side lens mount 201 and is made up with a plurality ofcontacts. The contact groups 102 and 202 are used to provide power fromthe camera body 100 to the interchangeable lens barrel 200 and to enablesignal exchange between the camera body 100 and the interchangeable lensbarrel 200.

An image sensor 104, which captures a subject image and outputs imagecapturing signals, is disposed inside the camera body 100 furtherrearward relative to the body-side lens mount 101. At the top of thecamera body 100, a button 107, which is used as an input device, isdisposed. The user is able to issue a photographing instruction, aphotographing condition setting instruction and the like to the camerabody 100 via the button 107. It is to be noted that the button 107 inthe illustration represents a plurality of buttons fulfilling variousfunctions, disposed at a plurality of locations at the camera body 100.

The interchangeable lens barrel 200 in the embodiment includes a fixedtube 211 constituted with first and second tubular or cylindricalmembers 211 a and 211 b, which cover the outer circumferential area ofthe interchangeable lens barrel 200, and a zooming ring 205 disposedbetween the first tubular member 211 a and the second tubular member 211b. The interchangeable lens barrel 200 is a lens barrel generally knownas a manual zooming lens with a variable focal length that can bemanually adjusted by the user by operating the zooming ring 205. As theuser rotates the zooming ring 205, the focal length of theinterchangeable lens barrel 200 continuously changes toward a wide angleside or toward a telephoto side. In other words, the focal length of theinterchangeable lens barrel 200 can be freely selected between thetelephoto end position and the wide-angle end position by operating thezooming ring 205.

In addition, as will be described in detail later, the interchangeablelens barrel 200 is a telescopic lens barrel, which may assume anextended state with a lens inner barrel 203 that holds the entirety of,or part of, a photographic optical system extending from the fixed tube211 or a contracted state with the lens inner barrel housed inside thefixed tube 211. It is to be noted that the lens inner barrel 203 in theextended state is indicated with a dotted line in FIG. 1 .

The interchangeable lens barrel 200 is switched from the extended stateto the contracted state and vice versa by operating a retract releasebutton 204 and the zooming ring 205. Namely, the interchangeable lensbarrel 200 in the extended state has its inner barrel 203 extended,i.e., projecting out, from the fixed tube 211 and a barrel length L ofthe interchangeable lens barrel 200 in this state is thus L1. Via theinterchangeable lens barrel 200 in the extended state, a good subjectimage can be formed at the image sensor 104 through its entire zoomingrange. In order to switch from the extended state to the contractedstate, the zooming ring 205 is rotated further toward the wide-angleside beyond the rotational position for adjusting the focal length ofthe lens to the wide-angle end, while pressing down on the retractrelease button 204. In response to this supplemental rotating operation,the inner barrel 203 becomes housed inside the fixed tube 211, therebysetting the interchangeable lens barrel 200 in the contracted state. Alens barrel length L2 in the contracted state is smaller than the lensbarrel length L1 in the extended state. The retract release button 204constitutes part of a structure fulfilling a mechanical lock functionfor physically preventing a transition into the contracted state whilethe lens is set between the wide-angle end and the telephoto end.

Once the interchangeable lens barrel 200 enters the contracted state,the zooming ring 205 cannot be rotated unless the retract release button204 is also being depressed. In other words, the retract release button204 constitutes part of a structure fulfilling a mechanical lockfunction for physically preventing a transition from the contractedstate to the extended state.

As described above, the user must rotate the zooming ring 205, set atthe rotational position corresponding to the wide-angle end, furthertoward the wide-angle side while pressing down on the retract releasebutton 204 in order to switch the interchangeable lens barrel 200 in theextended state to the contracted state. In addition, the user wishing toswitch the interchangeable lens barrel 200 in the contracted state tothe extended state must rotate the zooming ring 205 toward the telephotoside while pressing down on the retract release button 204.

FIGS. 2 and 3 each show part of the interchangeable lens barrel 200 inthe extended state in a sectional view. FIG. 2 is a sectional view thatincludes a main guide bar 261 and a sub guide bar 262, whereas FIG. 3 isa sectional view which includes the main guide bar 261 and an AFstepping motor 270. FIGS. 4 through 6 each show part of theinterchangeable lens barrel 200 in an exploded view.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the interchangeable lens barrel 200 includes thefixed tube 211, the zooming ring 205, a cam barrel 212 that fits at theinner circumference of the fixed tube 211, a first lens group chamber220 that fits at the inner circumference of the cam barrel 212, astepping motor (STM) mounting tube 230, an AF lens group chamber 240 anda second lens group chamber 250.

In the embodiment, the first lens group chamber 220 is equivalent to theinner barrel 203 in FIG. 1 , which projects out, i.e., extends, from thefixed tube 211 in the extended state. In addition, the left side isdesignated as the subject side and the right side is designated as theimage sensor side in FIGS. 2 and 3 . It is to be noted that another lensmay be present further toward the subject side relative to the firstlens group chamber 220. In addition, another lens may be present furthertoward the image sensor side relative to the second lens group chamber250.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the zooming ring 205 is disposed between the firsttubular member 211 a and the second tubular member 211 b of the fixedtube 211, as has been explained earlier, and the zooming ring 205 isfixed to the cam barrel 212.

A first cam groove 212 a and a second cam groove 212 b are formed on theinner circumferential side of the cam barrel 212, which is caused torotate as the zooming ring 205 is rotated.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 , the first lens group chamber 220 includes acylindrical tube portion 221 and a lens holding portion 222 assuming ahollow disk shape, which holds a first lens group 223 at the subjectside of the tube portion 221. The lens holding portion 222 is fixed tothe left end of the tube portion 221. At the outer circumference of thetube portion 221, a cam follower 221 a that fits in the first cam groove212 a at the cam barrel 212 is disposed, and the first lens groupchamber 220 is caused to move rectilinearly as the cam barrel 212rotates. This means that as the user rotates the zooming ring 205, thefirst lens group chamber 220 moves along an optical axis OA.

The main guide bar 261 and the sub guide bar 262, which guide the STMmounting tube 230 and the AF lens group chamber 240 along the opticalaxis OA, are mounted at the lens holding portion 222. The main guide bar261 and the sub guide bar 262 are disposed near positions that face eachother across the optical axis OA, with their subject-side ends attachedto the lens holding portion 222, each ranging toward the image sensoralong the optical axis OA (see FIGS. 4 through 6 ). As shown in FIG. 4 ,a pair of screw holes 221 b and 221 c are formed at the right end of thetube portion 221, i.e., at the end located toward the image sensor, inthe first lens group chamber 220, so as to allow a main guide baradjustment plate 263 to be mounted at the right end of the tube portion221 via screws (not shown) and the pair of screw holes 221 b and 221 c.The end of the main guide bar 261 located on the image sensor side ismounted at the main guide bar adjustment plate 263. Thus, one end of themain guide bar 261 is supported by the lens holding portion 222 and theother end of the main guide bar 261 is supported by the main guide baradjustment plate 263. By adjusting the position at which the main guidebar adjustment plate 263 is mounted at the tube portion 221, the mainguide bar 261 is set to be parallel to the optical axis OA. In addition,the end of the sub guide bar 262 located on the image sensor side is notsupported, i.e., not fixed.

The STM mounting tube 230 is a member mounted inside the first lensgroup chamber 220 via the main guide bar 261 and the sub guide bar 262,and the AF stepping motor 270 is mounted at the STM mounting tube 230,as shown in FIGS. 4 through 6 . The STM mounting tube 230 includes atube portion 235 assuming a partially cylindrical shape, a first guideplate 231 having a flange shape and mounted at one end surface of thetube portion 235, a second guide plate 232 set apart from the firstguide plate 231 along the direction of the optical axis OA, a linkingportion 233 mounted at the tube portion 235, which links the first guideplate 231 and the second guide plate 232 with each other, and an STMmounting portion 234 attached to the tube portion 235. Cam followers 233a and 235 a, which fit in the second cam groove 212 b at the cam barrel212, are disposed at the outer circumferences of the linking portion 233and the tube portion 235 respectively, and the STM mounting tube 230 iscaused to move rectilinearly as the cam barrel 212 rotates. In otherwords, as the user adjusts the focal length of the interchangeable lensbarrel 200 by rotating the zooming ring 205, the STM mounting tube 230moves along the optical axis OA.

The AF stepping motor 270 is fixed to the STM mounting portion 234 via ascrew or the like. An insertion hole 231 a at which the main guide bar261 is inserted and an insertion hole 231 b at which the sub guide bar262 is inserted are formed at the first guide plate 231. In addition, aninsertion hall 232 a at which the main guide bar 261 is inserted isformed at the second guide plate 232.

The STM mounting tube 230 is allowed to slide with respect to the mainguide bar 261 and the sub guide bar 262 along the direction of theoptical axis OA, and is guided by the main guide bar 261 and the subguide bar 262 so that it moves relative to the first lens group chamber220 along the optical axis OA.

The AF stepping motor 270, with a lead screw 271 directly connected toan output shaft thereof, is started up according to a focusing operationor a zooming operation.

As shown in FIG. 2 , an AF lens group 241 is held in the AF lens groupchamber 240, which is attached to the first lens group chamber 220 viathe main guide bar 261 and the sub guide bar 262. It is to be noted thatthe AF lens group 241 is a focusing lens and also configures, inconjunction with the first lens group 223, a zooming lens.

At the AF lens group chamber 240, insertion holes 240 a and 240 b, atwhich the main guide bar 261 is inserted, and a semi-circular hole 240c, at which the sub guide bar 262 is inserted, are formed. The AF lensgroup chamber 240 is slidably guided by the main guide bar 261 and thesub guide bar 262 along the optical axis OA.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , a rack portion 242 is mounted at the AF lensgroup chamber 240. The rack portion 242 is threaded to interlock withthe lead screw 271 of the AF stepping motor 270. This means that the AFstepping motor 270 mounted at the STM mounting tube 230 and the AF lensgroup chamber 240 are linked with each other via the lead screw 271 andthe rack portion 242 interlocking with each other.

As a result, as the AF stepping motor 270 is driven to rotate, the AFlens group chamber 240 is caused to move along the optical axis OArelative to the STM mounting tube 230 and also, as the zooming ring 205is rotated as explained earlier, the AF lens group chamber 240 is causedto move along the optical axis OA as one with the STM mounting tube 230.

The structure adopted in the embodiment described above allows both theAF lens group chamber 240, which is driven by the AF stepping motor 270,and the STM mounting tube 230, at which the AF stepping motor 270 ismounted, to be guided by the common main guide bar 261 to move along theoptical axis OA. Thus, as the tilt of the main guide bar 261 relative tothe optical axis OA is adjusted through adjustment of the position atwhich the main guide bar adjustment plate 263 is mounted at the tubeportion 221, the direction along which the AF stepping motor 270 and theAF lens group chamber 240 move along the direction in which the mainguide bar 261 extends is also adjusted.

Through these measures, the lead screw 271 and the rack portion 242 areallowed to interlock with each other in a stable manner. Namely, sincethe tilt of the main guide bar 261 relative to the optical axis OA canbe adjusted without affecting the state of interlock between the leadscrew 271 and the rack portion 242, the accuracy of the focus controlcan be stabilized. For instance, the attitude of the AF lens group 241may be adjusted by intentionally tilting the main guide bar 261 relativeto the optical axis OA in order to improve the optical performance ofthe interchangeable lens barrel 200. The embodiment, which assuresstable focus control accuracy even when the main guide bar 261 is tiltedrelative to the optical axis OA as described above, contributes to animprovement of the optical performance of the interchangeable lensbarrel 200.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the second lens group chamber 250 is a lens chamberthat holds a second lens group 251. The second lens group chamber 250 isfixed in the embodiment. The second lens group chamber 250 is set apartfrom the STM mounting tube 230 and the AF lens group chamber 240, asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .

—Operations of Various Components of the Interchangeable Lens Barrel 200in the Extended State—

A zooming operation executed at the interchangeable lens barrel 200 willbe explained first. As the zooming ring 205 is rotated at theinterchangeable lens barrel 200 in the extended state shown in FIG. 2 ,the cam barrel 212 rotates and as a result, the first lens group chamber220 and the STM mounting tube 230 move along the optical axis OArespectively through the first cam groove 212 a and through the secondcam groove 212 b. As the first lens group chamber 220 moves, the firstlens group 223 moves along the optical axis and, at the same time, themovement of the STM mounting tube 230 causes the AF lens group 241 tomove along the optical axis OA due to the linkage between the AFstepping motor 270 and the AF lens group chamber 240. Thus, amagnification adjustment operation, i.e., a zooming operation, isexecuted while the focus position or focus is maintained.

It is to be noted that a magnification adjustment operation is executedwhile the focus position remains unchanged, as described above, at theinterchangeable lens barrel 200 according to the embodiment, as thezooming ring 205 is rotated to cause the first lens group 223 and the AFlens group 241 to move along the optical axis relative to each other.However, as an alternative, when the first lens group 223 and the AFlens group 241 are caused to move along the optical axis by rotating thezooming ring 205 as described above, the AF lens group 241 may be causedto move along the optical axis OA relative to the STM mounting tube 230via the AF stepping motor 270. Through these measures, any fluctuationof the focus position during the zooming operation can be prevented withhigh accuracy.

Next, a focusing operation executed at the interchangeable lens barrel200 will be explained. As the AF stepping motor 270 shown in FIG. 3 isdriven at the interchangeable lens barrel 200 in the extended state, theAF lens group chamber 240 is caused to move along the optical axis OArelative to the STM mounting tube 230 as described above, and the AFlens group 241, too, is caused to move along the same direction,resulting in a change in the focus position, i.e., the in-focusposition.

It is to be noted that the AF lens group 241 and the second lens group251 do not interfere with each other in the extended state, regardlessof the focal length or the in-focus position.

—Transitioning from the Extended State to the Contracted State—

Next, a contracting operation of the interchangeable lens barrel 200will be explained. As the zooming ring 205 is rotated along apredetermined direction while pressing down on the retract releasebutton 204 shown in FIG. 1 in order to switch from the extended state tothe contracted state, the first lens group chamber 220 and the STMmounting tube 230 in FIG. 2 move toward the second lens group chamber250 respectively through the first cam groove 212 a and through thesecond cam groove 212 b. It is to be noted that when the STM mountingtube 230 moves, the AF lens group chamber 240 linked to the AF steppingmotor 270 mounted at the STM mounting tube 230, too, moves together withthe STM mounting tube 230.

As the zooming ring 205 is further rotated along the predetermineddirection while pressing down on the retract release button 204, thefirst lens group chamber 220 alone moves by a predetermined extent alongthe same direction while the STM mounting tube 230 remains in astationary state and the contracting operation then ends. Theinterchangeable lens barrel 200 thus enters the contracted state shownin FIG. 7 . It is to be noted that once the STM mounting tube 230becomes stationary, the AF lens group chamber 240 linked to the AFstepping motor 270, too, comes to a stop.

At the interchangeable lens barrel 200 in the contracted state shown inFIG. 7 , the distance between the lens holding portion 222 in the firstlens group chamber 220 and the first guide plate 231 at the STM mountingtube 230 is smaller compared to the corresponding distance assumed inthe extended state. In addition, the distance between the lens holdingportion 222 in the first lens group chamber 220 and the second lensgroup chamber 250 is smaller than the corresponding distance assumed inthe extended state. In this condition, the first lens group chamber 220is housed inside the fixed tube 211.

It is to be noted that the AF lens group 241 and the second lens group251 do not interfere with each other in the contracted state regardlessof the position taken by the AF lens group 241.

—Transitioning from the Contracted State to the Extended State—

Next, an extending operation of the interchangeable lens barrel 200 willbe explained. As the zooming ring 205 is rotated along a directionopposite from the direction in which it is rotated for the contractingoperation while pressing down on the retract release button 204 shown inFIG. 1 so as to switch from the contracted state to the extended state,the first lens group chamber 220 shown in FIG. 7 moves along a directionopposite from that taken for the contracting operation, i.e., along adirection moving away from the second lens group chamber 250, and as aresult, the extended state shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 is resumed.

The following advantages and operations are achieved through the firstembodiment described above.

(1) The interchangeable lens barrel 200 includes the AF lens groupchamber 240 that holds the AF lens group 241, the AF stepping motor 270linked to the AF lens group chamber 240, which drives the AF lens groupchamber 240 along the direction of the optical axis OA, the STM mountingtube 230 at which the AF stepping motor 270 is mounted, and the mainguide bar 261 that guides the AF lens group chamber 240 and the STMmounting tube 230 so as to allow them to move along the optical axis OA.

Since a structure that allows the AF lens group chamber 240, driven bythe AF stepping motor 270, and the STM mounting tube 230, at which theAF stepping motor 270 is mounted, to both move along the optical axis OAas they are guided by the same main guide bar 261, the state ofinterlock between the lead screw 271 and the rack portion 242 isstabilized, which, in turn, makes it possible to stabilize the focuscontrol accuracy.

(2) The interchangeable lens barrel 200 includes the first lens groupchamber 220 to which the main guide bar 261 is fixed. The first lensgroup chamber 220 moves along the optical axis OA during a zoomingoperation. Thus, the AF lens group chamber 240 and the STM mounting tube230 are allowed to move with high accuracy along the optical axis OArelative to the first lens group chamber 220.

(3) The interchangeable lens barrel 200 further includes the cam barrel212 that rotates around the optical axis OA set at the rotational centerthereof during a zooming operation. The first lens group chamber 220holds the first lens group 223 which is included in the interchangeablelens barrel 200. The STM mounting tube 230 includes the cam follower 233a, which is caused to move, via the cam barrel 212, along the opticalaxis OA, whereas the first lens group chamber 220 includes the camfollower 221 a, which is caused to move, via the cam barrel 212, alongthe optical axis OA.

Since these structural features make it possible to set the first lensgroup chamber 220 and the STM mounting tube 230 closer to each otherthrough the contracting operation, the lens barrel length L in thecontracted state can be reduced. Consequently, miniaturization of theinterchangeable lens barrel 200 can be achieved.

(4) The interchangeable lens barrel 200 further includes the first lensgroup chamber 220, to which the main guide bar 261 is fixed, and the cambarrel 212 that is caused to rotate around the optical axis OA set atthe rotational center thereof during a zooming operation. The main guidebar 261 includes a shaft member extending along the optical axis OA. Thefirst lens group chamber 220 includes the lens holding portion 222, towhich one end of the main guide bar 261 is fixed, the tube portion 221and the main guide bar adjustment plate 263, to which the other end ofthe main guide bar 261 is fixed. The tube portion 221 assumes acylindrical shape centered on the optical axis OA, with the STM mountingtube 230 disposed on the inner circumferential side thereof. The mainguide bar adjustment plate 263 is a plate member disposed along adirection substantially perpendicular to the optical axis OA, and isfixed to the tube portion 221.

These structural features make it possible to optimally adjust thedirection along which the AF lens group 241 moves relative to the firstlens group 223 during a magnification adjustment operation and afocusing operation, which ultimately makes it possible to improve theoptical performance of the interchangeable lens barrel 200.

(5) The interchangeable lens barrel 200 further includes the cam barrel212 that reduces the overall length of the interchangeable lens barrel200 by moving, at least, the first lens group chamber 220 along theoptical axis OA, and the cam follower 221 a that fits in the first camgroove 212 a at the cam barrel 212. The cam barrel 212 and the camfollower 221 a, which fits in the first cam groove 212 a at the cambarrel 212, cause the main guide bar 261 to move relative to the STMmounting tube 230 and the AF lens group chamber 240 as the first lensgroup chamber 220 moves along the optical axis OA.

The first lens group chamber 220 and the STM mounting tube 230 can thusbe set closer to each other through the contracting operation and, as aresult, the barrel length L in the contracted state can be reduced. Inother words, miniaturization of the interchangeable lens barrel 200 canbe achieved.

The following variations are also within the scope of the presentinvention, and one or more of the variations may be adopted incombination with the embodiment described above.

(Variation 1)

A DC motor or an ultrasonic motor may be used in place of the AFstepping motor 270. In addition, the first lens group 223, the AF lensgroup 241 and the second lens group 251 are not limited to those in theexamples in the drawings and they may each include a greater or smallernumber of lenses.

(Variation 2)

The camera system 1 according to the first embodiment as described aboveincludes a telescopic interchangeable lens that assumes a smaller lensbarrel length when the camera is not in use. The camera according to avariation of the first embodiment is a retractable-lens camera having afixed lens barrel that cannot be detached from the camera body. Theretractable-lens camera includes a mechanism whereby the lens barrel ispartly or entirely housed inside the camera body when the camera is notin use and the lens barrel projects out of the camera body when thecamera is in use.

Primary differences between the retractable-lens camera in variation 2and the telescopic interchangeable lens barrel according to theembodiment described above are that the STM mounting tube 230, the AFlens group chamber 240, the second lens group chamber 250 and the likein FIG. 2 are built into the camera body in the retractable-lens camera,which does not include the fixed tube 211 or the cam barrel 212, andthat the first lens group chamber 220 and the STM mounting tube 230 areindividually driven along the optical axis via an actuator (not shown).It is to be noted that it may adopt a structure in which the first lensgroup chamber 220 and the STM mounting tube 230 are caused to move alongthe optical axis as the cam barrel 212 is driven by an actuator (notshown).

When the retractable-lens camera is in use, the first lens group chamber220 projects out of the camera body and a zooming operation and afocusing operation are executed in this condition, in much the same wayas in the telescopic interchangeable lens barrel 200 according to theembodiment described earlier.

During a retracting operation, the first lens group chamber 220 and theSTM mounting tube 230 in the retractable-lens camera are caused to movetoward the second lens group chamber 250 along the optical axis via anactuator (not shown). The STM mounting tube 230 stops at some point, butthe first lens group chamber 220, driven via an actuator (not shown)continues to move closer to the STM mounting tube 230, so as to reducethe distance between the lens holding portion 222 and the first guideplate 231 at the STM mounting tube 230. As a result, the first lensgroup chamber 220, having projected out of the camera body while thecamera is in use, enters a retracted state (or a collapsed state), inwhich the extent to which it projects out is reduced or the extent ofprojection becomes substantially equal to zero.

(Variation 3)

While the second lens group chamber 250 is fixed in the embodimentdescribed above, it may instead be configured so as to be allowed tomove along the optical axis OA.

(Variation 4)

While the left side is designated as the subject side and the right sideis designated as the image sensor side in FIGS. 2, 3 and 7 , inreference to which the embodiment has been explained, the left side andthe right side may instead be respectively designated as the imagesensor side and the subject side.

(Variation 5)

In the embodiment described above, the rack portion 242 is mounted atthe AF lens group chamber 240. The rack portion 242 is threaded so as tointerlock with the lead screw 271 of the AF stepping motor 270. As analternative, a threaded nut portion, which interlocks with the leadscrew 271, may be disposed in the AF lens group chamber 240 in place ofthe rack portion 242.

The first embodiment of the present invention described above alsoincludes the following aspects.

(1) The lens barrel in a first aspect comprises a first lens holdingmember that holds a first lens, a drive source linked to the first lensholding member, which drives the first lens holding member along anoptical axis, a mounting member at which the drive source is mounted,and a guide member that guides the first lens holding member and themounting member so as to allow them to move along the optical axis.

(2) In a second aspect, the lens barrel in the first aspect includes afixing member to which the guide member is fixed and the fixing membermoves along the optical axis during a zooming operation.

(3) In a third aspect, the lens barrel in the second aspect furtherincludes a cam barrel that rotates around the optical axis set at arotational center thereof during a zooming operation, the fixing memberholds another lens included in the lens barrel, the mounting memberincludes a mounting member cam follower that is caused to move along theoptical axis via the cam barrel, and the fixing member includes a fixingmember cam follower that is caused to move along the optical axis viathe cam barrel.

(4) In a fourth mode, the lens barrel in any one of the first throughthird aspects further includes a fixing member to which the guide memberis fixed and a cam barrel that rotates around the optical axis set atthe rotational center thereof during a zooming operation, the guidemember includes a shaft member extending along the optical axis, thefixing member includes a first fixing member to which one end of theshaft member is fixed and a second fixing member to which another end ofthe shaft member is fixed, the first fixing member assumes a cylindricalshape centered on the optical axis, the mounting member is disposed onthe inner circumferential side thereof, and the second fixing member,which is a plate member disposed along a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the optical axis, is fixed relative to the first fixingmember.

(5) In a fifth mode, the lens barrel in any one of the first throughfourth aspects further includes a fixing member to which the guidemember is fixed and a cam barrel that rotates around the optical axisset at the rotational center thereof during a zooming operation, themounting member includes a mounting member cam follower that is causedto move along the optical axis via the cam barrel, and the mountingmember moves along the optical axis as it is guided by the guide memberalong the optical axis and the cam barrel is engaged with the mountingmember cam follower.

(6) In a sixth aspect, the lens barrel in any one of the second throughfifth aspects further includes a retraction mechanism for reducing theoverall length of the lens barrel by moving at least the fixing memberalong the optical axis, and the retraction mechanism causes the guidemember to move relative to the mounting member and the first lensholding member as the fixing member moves along the optical axis.

(7) An optical device in a seventh aspect includes the lens barrel inany one of the first through sixth aspects.

Second Embodiment

In reference to FIGS. 8 through 17 , the second embodiment of the lensbarrel will be described.

FIG. 8 shows, in a perspective, a camera system of aninterchangeable-lens type, having the lens barrel according to theembodiment included as an interchangeable lens thereof. A camera system1 includes a camera body 100 and an interchangeable lens barrel 200Athat can be detachably mounted at the camera body 100.

A body-side lens mount 101, at which the interchangeable lens barrel 200is detachably mounted, is disposed at the camera body 100. A lens-sidelens mount 201, corresponding to the body-side lens mount 101, at whichthe camera body 100 is detachably mounted, is disposed at theinterchangeable lens barrel 200A. As the interchangeable lens barrel200A is mounted at the camera body 100, a contact group 102, which islocated on the body-side lens mount 101 and is made up with a pluralityof contacts, becomes connected with a contact group 202, which isdisposed on the lens-side lens mount 201 and is made up with a pluralityof contacts. The contact groups 102 and 202 are used to provide powerfrom the camera body 100 to the interchangeable lens barrel 200A and toenable signal exchange between the camera body 100 and theinterchangeable lens barrel 200A.

An image sensor 104, which captures a subject image and outputs imagecapturing signals, is disposed inside the camera body 100 furtherrearward relative to the body-side lens mount 101. At the top of thecamera body 100, a button 107, used as an input device, is disposed. Theuser is able to issue a photographing instruction, a photographingcondition setting instruction and the like to the camera body 100 viathe button 107.

The interchangeable lens barrel 200A in the embodiment includes a fixedtube 211 constituted with first and second tubular members 211 a and 211b, which cover the outer circumferential area of the interchangeablelens barrel 200A, and a zooming ring 205 disposed between the firsttubular member 211 a and the second tubular member 211 b. Theinterchangeable lens barrel 200A is a lens barrel generally known as amanual zooming lens with a variable focal length that can be manuallyadjusted by the user by operating the zooming ring 205. As the userrotates the zooming ring 205, the focal length of the interchangeablelens barrel 200A continuously changes toward a wide angle side or towarda telephoto side. In other words, the focal length of theinterchangeable lens barrel 200A can be freely selected between thetelephoto-end position and the wide-angle-end position by operating thezooming ring 205.

In addition, as will be described in detail later, the interchangeablelens barrel 200A is a telescopic lens barrel, which may assume anextended state with a lens inner barrel 203 that holds the entirety of,or part of, a photographic optical system extending from the fixed tube211 or a contracted state with the lens inner barrel housed inside thefixed tube 211. It is to be noted that the lens inner barrel 203 in theextended state is indicated with a dotted line in FIG. 8 .

The interchangeable lens barrel 200A is switched from the extended stateto the contracted state and vice versa by operating a retract releasebutton 204 and the zooming ring 205. Namely, the interchangeable lensbarrel 200A in the extended state has its inner barrel 203 extended,i.e., projecting out from the fixed tube 211, and a barrel length L ofthe interchangeable lens barrel 200A in this state is thus L1. Via theinterchangeable lens barrel 200A in the extended state, a good subjectimage can be formed at the image sensor 104 and the camera system 1 isin a photographing-enabled state. In order to switch from the extendedstate to the contracted state, the zooming ring 205 is rotated furthertoward the wide-angle side beyond the rotational position for adjustingthe focal length of the lens to the wide-angle end, while pressing downon the retract release button 204. In response to this supplementalrotating operation, the inner barrel 203 becomes housed into the innercircumference of the fixed tube 211, thereby setting the interchangeablelens barrel 200A in the contracted state. A lens barrel length L2 in thecontracted state is smaller than the lens barrel length L1 in theextended state and the camera system 1 is in a photographing-disabledstate. When the focal length of the interchangeable lens barrel 200A isset between the wide angle end and the telephoto end, the zooming ring205 cannot be rotated to a rotational angle position beyond thewide-angle end or the telephoto end, unless the retract release button204 is being depressed while the zooming ring 205 is rotated. Namely,the retract release button 204 constitutes part of a structurefulfilling a mechanical lock function for physically preventing atransition from the extended state to the contracted state.

Once the interchangeable lens barrel 200A enters the contracted state,the zooming ring 205 cannot be rotated to a rotational angle positionbetween the wide-angle end and the telephoto end unless the retractrelease button 204 is simultaneously depressed. In other words, theretract release button 204 constitutes part of a structure fulfilling amechanical lock function for physically preventing a transition from thecontracted state to the extended state.

As described above, the user must rotate the zooming ring 205, set atthe rotational position corresponding to the wide-angle end, furthertoward an even greater rotational angle position while pressing down onthe retract release button 204 in order to switch the interchangeablelens barrel 200A in the extended state to the contracted state. Inaddition, the user wishing to switch the interchangeable lens barrel200A in the contracted state to the extended state must rotate thezooming ring 205 to a rotational angle position between the wide-angleend and the telephoto end while pressing down on the retract releasebutton 204.

FIGS. 9 through 12 each show part of the interchangeable lens barrel200A in the extended state in a sectional view. FIGS. 9 and 10 aresectional views that include a main guide bar 261 and a sub guide bar262, whereas FIGS. 11 and 12 are sectional views that include the mainguide bar 261 and an AF stepping motor 270. It is to be noted that FIGS.9 and 11 each illustrate a condition in which an AF lens group lens 241has moved to a position achieving an in-focus state at the infinityfocal length, whereas FIGS. 10 and 12 each illustrate a condition inwhich the AF lens group 241 has moved to a position achieving anin-focus state at a close-up focal length. FIGS. 13 through 15 each showpart of the interchangeable lens barrel 200 a in an exploded view.

As FIGS. 9 through 12 show, the interchangeable lens barrel 200Aincludes the fixed tube 211, the zooming ring 205, a cam barrel 212 thatfits into the inner circumference of the fixed tube 211, a first lensgroup chamber 220 that fits into the inner circumference of the cambarrel 212, a stepping motor (STM) mounting tube 230, an AF lens groupchamber 240 and a second lens group chamber 250.

In the embodiment, the first lens group chamber 220 is equivalent to theinner barrel 203 in FIG. 8 , which projects out, i.e., extends, from thefixed tube 211 toward the subject side in the extended state. Inaddition, the left side is designated as the subject side and the rightside is designated as the image sensor side in FIGS. 9 through 12 and 14through 17. The right side is designated as the subject side and theleft side is designated as the image sensor side in FIG. 13 . It is tobe noted that another lens may be present further toward the subjectside relative to the first lens group chamber 220. In addition, anotherlens may be present further toward the image sensor side relative to thesecond lens group chamber 250.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 13 , the zooming ring 205 is disposed betweenthe first tubular member 211 a and the second tubular member 211 b ofthe fixed tube 211, as has been explained earlier, and the zooming ring205 can be rotated relative to the first tubular member 211 a and thesecond tubular member 211 b. The zooming ring 205 is engaged with thecam barrel 212 via a rectilinear key so as to enable rotation with thecam barrel 212 and relative movement in a rectilinear manner.

A cam groove 212 a is formed on the inner circumferential side of thecam barrel 212, which is caused to rotate as the zooming ring 205 shownin FIG. 8 is rotated.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 13 , the first lens group chamber 220 includes acylindrical tube portion 221 and a lens holding portion 222 assuming ahollow disk shape, which holds a first lens group 223 at the subjectside of the tube portion 221. The lens holding portion 222 is fixed tothe subject-side end of the tube portion 221. At the outer circumferenceof the tube portion 221, a cam follower 221 a that fits in the camgroove 212 a at the cam barrel 212 is disposed. The rotation of the tubeportion 221 around the optical axis is regulated by a rectilinear guidemember (not shown), and as the cam barrel 212 rotates, the tube portion221 is caused to move rectilinearly along the optical axis due to theengagement between the cam follower 221 a and the cam groove 212 a andthe guidance by the rectilinear guide member.

The main guide bar 261 and the sub guide bar 262, which guide the STMmounting tube 230 and the AF lens group chamber 240 along the opticalaxis OA, are mounted at the lens holding portion 222. The main guide bar261 and the sub guide bar 262, which are members each assuming the shapeof a shaft disposed so as to range along the optical axis OA, aredisposed near positions that face opposite each other across the opticalaxis OA, with their subject-side ends attached to the lens holdingportion 222, each ranging toward the image sensor along the optical axisOA (see FIGS. 13 through 15 ). As shown in FIG. 9 , a main guide baradjustment plate 263, which is a plate disposed along a directionperpendicular to the optical axis OA, is mounted at the right end of thetube portion 221, i.e., at the end located toward the image sensor side,in the first lens group chamber 220. The end of the main guide bar 261located toward the image sensor side is attached to the main guide baradjustment plate 263. At the main guide bar adjustment plate 263, a mainguide bar fixing hole, in which the end of the main guide bar 261 isfixed, and screw holes for fixing the main guide bar adjustment plate263 to the tube portion 221, are formed. The main guide bar adjustmentplate 263, viewed from the direction along which the optical axis OAextends, takes a substantially triangular shape, with one side of thetriangle located on the outer circumferential side curving in a circulararc along the outer circumferential surface of the tube portion 221. Oneend of the main guide bar 261 is supported by the lens holding portion222, whereas the other end of the main guide bar 261 is supported by themain guide bar adjustment plate 263. The angle of the main guide bar 261relative to the optical axis OA can be adjusted by adjusting theposition at which the main guide bar adjustment plate 263 is mounted atthe tube portion 221. In addition, the end of the sub sidebar 262located toward the image sensor side is not supported, i.e., not fixed.

The STM mounting tube 230 is a member held via the main guide bar 261and the sub guide bar 262 so that it is allowed to move along theoptical axis OA inside the first lens group chamber 220, and the AFstepping motor 270 is mounted at the STM mounting tube 230, as shown inFIGS. 13 through 15 . As shown in FIGS. 9 and 13 , the STM mounting tube230 includes first and second guide plates 231 and 232 set apart fromeach other along the optical axis OA, a linking portion 233 that linksthe first guide plate 231 and the second guide plate 232 with eachother, and an STM mounting portion 234 fixed to the first guide plate231. The AF stepping motor 270 is fixed to the STM mounting portion 234via a screw or the like. At the first guide plate 231, an insertion hole231 a, in which the main guide bar 261 is inserted, and an insertionhole 231 b, in which the sub guide bar 262 is inserted, are formed. Inaddition, an insertion hole 232 a, in which the main guide bar 261 isinserted, is formed at the second guide plate 232. Viewed from thedirection of the optical axis OA, the insertion holes 231 a and 232 aeach assume a round shape, substantially matching the shape of the outercircumferential surface of the main guide bar 261. Viewed from thedirection of the optical axis OA, the insertion hole 231 b takes anelliptical shape or a U-shape ranging along the normal vector of acircle centered on the optical axis OA, and the insertion hole 231 bcontacts the outer circumferential surface of the sub guide bar 262 attwo points. Thus, the STM mounting tube 230 is fitted so as to beallowed to move rectilinearly along the main guide bar 261 and, at thesame time, rotation centered on the sub guide bar 262 over a planeperpendicular to the optical axis is disallowed by the sub guide bar262.

The STM mounting tube 230, which is allowed to slide against the mainguide bar 261 and the sub guide bar 262 along the optical axis OA, isguided by the main guide bar 261 and the sub guide bar 262 so that itmoves relative to the first lens group chamber 220 along the opticalaxis OA.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the second lens group chamber 250 is disposedfurther toward the image sensor side relative to the first lens groupchamber 220 and the STM mounting tube 230. The second lens group chamber250 is a lens chamber where a second lens group 251 is held. Theposition taken by the second lens group chamber 250 along the opticalaxis within the interchangeable lens barrel 200A is fixed in theembodiment. The first lens group chamber 220, on the other hand, isallowed to move along the optical axis closer to the second lens groupchamber 250 in the contracted state. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 , thefirst lens group chamber 220 moves closer to the second lens groupchamber 250 as a transition from the extended state to the contractedstate occurs, and at least part of the second lens group chamber 250assumes a position further toward the subject side relative to the mainguide bar adjustment plate 263 located at the rear end of the first lensgroup chamber 220 in the contracted state. At the front end of thesecond lens group chamber 250, i.e., at the end of the second lens groupchamber 250 located toward the subject side, a contact portion 252 isdisposed that comes in contact with the rear end surface of the secondguide plate 232 at the STM mounting tube 230, i.e., the end surface ofthe second guide plate 232 toward the image sensor side, in thecontracted state, as will be explained later. As shown in FIGS. 9through 12 , the contact portion 252 is set apart from the rear endsurface of the second guide plate 232 of the STM mounting tube 230 inthe extended state.

As shown in FIG. 9 , a coil spring 281 disposed coaxially with the mainguide bar 261 and a coil spring 282 disposed coaxially with the subguide bar 262 are present between the first guide plate 231 at the STMmounting tube 230 and the lens holding portion 222 at the first lensgroup chamber 220. Force is continuously imparted from the coil springs281 and 282 along a direction in which the lens holding portion 222 andthe first guide plate 231 move away from each other. With the forcecontinuously imparted from the coil springs 281 and 282 as describedabove, the STM mounting tube 230 is set in contact with the main guidebar adjustment plate 263 at the first lens group chamber 220 or with thecontact portion 252 at the second lens group chamber 250 and is thusstabilized.

A lead screw 271 is directly connected to an output shaft of the AFstepping motor 270, which is activated to rotationally drive the leadscrew 271 at least for a focusing operation. The AF stepping motor 270may also be activated for a zooming operation or a contracting/extendingoperation.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the AF lens group chamber 240 holds the AF lensgroup 241, and the AF lens group chamber 240 in turn is held by thefirst lens group chamber 220 via the main guide bar 261 and the subguide bar 262. It is to be noted that the AF lens group 241 constitutesa focusing lens that moves to achieve an in-focus state and also,together with the first lens group 223, constitutes a zooming lens. Thismeans that the AF stepping motor 270 causes the AF lens group 241 aloneto move along the optical axis OA for a focusing operation and to movealong the optical axis OA together with the first lens group 223 for azooming operation, as will be explained in detail later. It is to benoted that the AF lens group 241 does not need to constitute a focusinglens and instead may constitute a lens that moves for a zoomingoperation or for a contracting/extending operation.

At the AF lens group chamber 240, insertion holes 240 a and 240 b, atwhich the main guide bar 261 is inserted, and a semi-circular hole 240c, at which the sub guide bar 262 is inserted, are formed. The AF lensgroup chamber 240 is slidably guided by the main guide bar 261 and thesub guide bar 262 along the optical axis OA.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13 , a rack portion 242 is mounted at the AFlens group chamber 240. The rack portion 242 is threaded so as tointerlock with the lead screw 271 of the AF stepping motor 270. Thismeans that the AF stepping motor 270 mounted at the STM mounting tube230 and the AF lens group chamber 240 are linked with each other via thelead screw 271 and the rack portion 242 interlocking with each other. Asthe lead screw 271 at the AF stepping motor 270 is rotationally driven,the rack portion 242, interlocking with the lead screw 271, moves alongthe optical axis. Since the rack portion 242 is mounted at the AF lensgroup chamber 240 and the AF lens group chamber 240 is rectilinearlyguided by the main guide bar 261 and the sub guide bar 262, the AF lensgroup chamber 240 also moves along the optical axis as the rack portion242 moves along the optical axis.

It is to be noted that in the extended state, the STM mounting tube 230is held by the coil springs 281 and 282 at a position in contact withthe main guide bar adjustment plate 263, as explained earlier, and thus,the positions of the STM mounting tube 230 and the first lens groupchamber 220 remain unchanged relative to each other. Accordingly, as theAF stepping motor 270 is driven for a focusing operation in the extendedstate, the AF lens group chamber 240 is driven along the optical axis OArelative to the first lens group 223 and the second lens group 251,which will be described later, between the infinity position shown inFIG. 11 and the close-up position shown in FIG. 12 , so as to adjust thein-focus position.

—Operations of Various Components of the Interchangeable Lens Barrel200A in the Extended State—

A zooming operation executed at the interchangeable lens barrel 200Awill be explained first. As the zooming ring 205 is rotated, the cambarrel 212 rotates and thus, a magnification adjustment operation isexecuted with the first lens group chamber 220 and the STM mounting tube230 moving as one along the optical axis OA at the interchangeable lensbarrel 200A in the extended state shown in FIG. 9 . Concurrently as themagnification adjustment operation is executed, the AF stepping motor270 causes the AF lens group 241 to move relative to the STM mountingtube 230 along the optical axis OA, thereby preventing a fluctuation inthe focus position.

Next, a focusing operation executed at the interchangeable lens barrel200A will be explained. As the AF stepping motor 270 shown in FIG. 11 isdriven at the interchangeable lens barrel 200A in the extended state,the AF lens group chamber 240 is driven along the optical axis OArelative to the STM mounting tube 230 as explained earlier. Thepositions taken by the STM mounting tube 230 and the first lens groupchamber 220 relative to each other remain unchanged regardless of therotational position of the zooming ring 205. Thus, as the AF steppingmotor 270 is driven, the AF lens group chamber 240 is driven relative tothe first lens group chamber 220 along the optical axis OA, resulting ina change in the relative distances, i.e., the distance between the AFlens group 241 and the first lens group 223 and the distance between theAF lens group 241 and the second lens group 251, thereby altering thein-focus position.

It is to be noted that the AF lens group 241 and the second lens group251 do not interfere with each other in the extended state, or in thecontracted state, regardless of the focal length or the in-focusposition.

—Transitioning from the Extended State to the Contracted State—

Next, a contracting operation of the interchangeable lens barrel 200Awill be explained. As the zooming ring 205 is rotated along apredetermined direction while pressing down on the retract releasebutton 204 shown in FIG. 8 in order to switch from the extended state tothe contracted state, the first lens group chamber 220 and the STMmounting tube 230 in FIG. 9 move as one toward the second lens groupchamber 250 and eventually, the second guide plate 232 at the STMmounting tube 230 comes into contact with the contact portion 252 at thesecond lens group chamber 250. It is to be noted that when the STMmounting tube 230 moves as described above, the AF lens group chamber240 linked to the AF stepping motor 270 mounted at the STM mounting tube230 also moves.

Then, as the zooming ring 205 is further rotated along the predetermineddirection while pressing down on the retract release button 204, thefirst lens group chamber 220 alone moves further along the samedirection by a predetermined extent until the contracting operation iscompleted while the STM mounting tube 230 is held stationary through thecontact between the second guide plate 232 and the contact portion 252at the second lens group chamber 250. It is to be noted that once theSTM mounting tube 230 becomes stationary, the AF lens group chamber 240linked to the AF stepping motor 270, too, comes to a stop.

Once the contracting operation ends as described above, the distancebetween the lens holding portion 222 at the first lens group chamber 220and the first guide plate 231 at the STM mounting tube 230 becomessmaller than the distance assumed in the extended state, as illustratedin FIG. 16 or FIG. 17 . Namely, the distance between the lens holdingportion 222 at the first lens group chamber 220 and the second lensgroup chamber 250 becomes reduced. In this state, the first lens groupchamber 220 is housed inside the fixed tube 211.

It is to be noted that while FIG. 16 shows the AF lens group 241 at theinfinity position in the contracted state, FIG. 17 shows the AF lensgroup 241 at the close-up position in the contracted state. As FIG. 16and FIG. 17 clearly indicate, the distance between the lens holdingportion 222 at the first lens group chamber 220 and the first guideplate 231 at the STM mounting tube 230 is smaller in the contractedstate compared to the distance in the extended state, and since the AFlens group 241, too, comes to a stop as the STM mounting tube 230becomes stationary, the AF lens group 241 and the second lens group 251do not interfere with each other in the contracted state regardless ofthe position of the AF lens group 241.

—Transitioning from the Contracted State to the Extended State—

Next, an extending operation of the interchangeable lens barrel 200Awill be explained. As the zooming ring 205 is rotated along a directionopposite from the direction for the contracting operation while pressingdown on the retract release button 204 shown in FIG. 8 so as to switchfrom the contracted state to the extended state, the first lens groupchamber 220 shown in FIG. 16 moves along a direction opposite from thattaken for the contracting operation, i.e., along a direction moving awayfrom the second lens group chamber 250, and as a result, the extendedstate shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10 is resumed.

The following advantages and operations are achieved through the secondembodiment described above.

(1) The interchangeable lens barrel 200A includes the AF lens groupchamber 240 that holds the AF lens group 241, the AF stepping motor 270linked to the AF lens group chamber 240, which drives the AF lens groupchamber 240 along the direction of the optical axis, the STM mountingtube 230, which is allowed to move along the optical axis OA togetherwith the AF stepping motor 270 mounted thereat, and the coil spring 281,which imparts force to the STM mounting tube 230 in one direction alongthe optical axis.

Since force is applied to the STM mounting tube 230 at all times alongthe one direction as described above, its position inside theinterchangeable lens barrel 200A (more specifically, the position of theSTM mounting tube 230 relative to the first lens group chamber 220) canbe stabilized. In addition, as the STM mounting tube 230 is pushed fromanother direction during a contracting operation so as to set the lengthof the coil spring 280 smaller than that assumed in the extended state,the space taken up by the STM mounting tube 230 in the extended statecan be occupied by another member. In more specific terms, the firstlens group chamber 220 moves together with the STM mounting tube 230toward the image sensor side and, as a result, the second lens groupchamber 250 pushes the STM mounting tube 230 toward the subject sideinside the first lens group chamber 220 in the embodiment. As theposition of the STM mounting tube 230 inside the first lens groupchamber 220 moves further toward the subject side, part of the secondlens group chamber 250 can be housed in the inner circumferential sideof the first lens group chamber 220 so as to reduce the barrel length L.This, in turn, makes it possible to miniaturize the interchangeable lensbarrel 200A. It is to be noted that while the STM mounting tube 230takes different positions relative to the first lens group chamber 220in the contracted state and in the extended state in the embodimentdescribed above, the STM mounting tube 230 may instead assume differentpositions relative to the first lens group chamber 220 in correspondenceto the focal length condition or the photographing distance.

(2) The interchangeable lens barrel 200A includes the first lens group223 disposed at a position facing opposite the AF lens group 241 on theobject side and the first lens group chamber 220 that holds the firstlens group 223 and is allowed to move along the optical axis OA togetherwith the first lens group 223. The coil spring 281 is disposed betweenthe first lens group chamber 220 and the STM mounting tube 230 at theinterchangeable lens barrel 200A. Force is applied to the first lensgroup chamber 220 in the one direction along the optical axis OA via thecoil spring 281 opposing the force applied to the STM mounting tube 230.

Through these measures, the position taken by the STM mounting tube 230along the optical axis OA relative to the first lens group chamber 220can be held in a stable manner. With the position taken by the STMmounting tube 230 relative to the first lens group chamber 220stabilized, the position of the AF lens group 241, which is held by theSTM mounting tube 230 via the AF stepping motor 270, taken along theoptical axis OA, too, becomes stable, making it possible to preventdeterioration in the optical performance of the interchangeable lensbarrel 200A. In addition, since the first lens group chamber 220 and theSTM mounting tube 230 can be set closer to each other in the contractedstate by shortening the coil spring 281 compared to its length in theextended state, the barrel length L can be reduced in the contractedstate. This, in turn, makes it possible to miniaturize theinterchangeable lens barrel 200A. It is to be noted that theinterchangeable lens barrel 200A is switched from the extended state tothe contracted state through a manual operation of the zooming ringperformed by the user. If, on the other hand, a drive force impartedfrom a motor or the like were used to switch from the extended state tothe contracted state, a motor or the like capable of outputting asignificant drive force against the force imparted from the coil spring281 would have to be installed in the interchangeable lens barrel 200A,and in such a case, the interchangeable lens barrel 200A would have tobe larger. In contrast, resistance against the force imparted by thecoil spring 281 can be achieved through a manual operation in theembodiment described above, and since this eliminates the need for amotor capable of outputting a large drive force, the interchangeablelens barrel 200A does not need to be a large size lens barrel.

(3) The interchangeable lens barrel 200A includes the main guide bar 261that guides the AF lens group chamber 240 and the STM mounting tube 230so as to allow them to move along the optical axis OA.

The main guide bar 261 ranges substantially parallel to the optical axisOA. The STM mounting tube 230 includes a pair of guide plates, i.e., thefirst guide plate 231 and the second guide plate 232, set apart fromeach other and respectively having the through holes 231 a and 232 aformed thereat, through which the main guide bar 261 passes, and thelinking portion 233 that links the pair of guide plates, i.e., the firstguide plate 231 and the second guide plate 232 with each other.

At the AF lens group chamber 240, the insertion holes 240 a and 240 b,through which the main guide bar 261 passes, are formed between the pairof guide plates i.e., the first and the second guide plates 231 and 232,at the STM mounting tube 230.

Thus, as the STM mounting tube 230 moves along the optical axis OA, theAF lens group chamber 240, too, moves together with the STM mountingtube 230 in the same direction due to the linkage between the AFstepping motor 270 and the AF lens group chamber 240, and also, as theAF stepping motor 270 is driven, the AF lens group chamber 240 can bemoved relative to the STM mounting tube 230. In other words, the AF lensgroup chamber 240 can be moved along the optical axis OA during azooming operation by moving the first lens group chamber 220 (by movingthe first lens group chamber 220 through the cam engagement of the camgroove 212 a at the cam barrel 212 and the cam follower 221 a at thefirst lens group chamber 220 with each other), whereas the AF lens groupchamber 240 is moved along the optical axis OA during a focusingoperation with the drive force provided by the AF stepping motor 270.This means that even if the in-focus position changes during a zoomingoperation, a focusing operation can be executed while the zoomingoperation is in progress so as to correct the in-focus position. As aresult, the user is able to prevent the in-focus position from shiftingthrough the focusing operation executed while the zooming operation isin progress.

(4) The interchangeable lens barrel 200A includes the first lens group223 disposed at a position facing opposite the AF lens group 241 on theobject side, the first lens group chamber 220 that holds the first lensgroup 223 and is allowed to move together with the first lens group 223along the optical axis OA, and the main guide bar 261 fixed to the firstlens group chamber 220, which guides the AF lens group chamber 240 andthe STM mounting tube 230 so as to allow them to move along the opticalaxis OA.

These structural features make it possible to enable a rectilinear guidemember for the AF lens group chamber 240 to also function as arectilinear guide member for the STM mounting tube 230, and as a result,the number of required parts can be reduced. In addition, by ensuringthat the main guide bar 261 is held relative to the first lens groupchamber 220 with high accuracy, the AF lens group chamber 240 and theSTM mounting tube 230 are also allowed to move with high accuracy.Consequently, highly accurate movement is enabled with better easecompared to a case in which separate rectilinear guide members for theAF lens group chamber 240 and for the STM mounting tube 230 are heldwith high accuracy.

(5) The interchangeable lens barrel 200A includes the first lens group223 disposed at a position facing opposite the AF lens group 241 on theobject side and the first lens group chamber 220 that holds the firstlens group 223 and is allowed to move together with the first lens group223 along the optical axis OA. The first lens group chamber 220 includesthe main guide bar adjustment plate 263, with which the STM mountingtube 230, pressed in one direction along the optical axis OA with theforce imparted from the coil spring 281, comes in contact.

Thus, since the force imparted by the coil spring 281 is applied to theSTM mounting tube 230 toward the main guide bar adjustment plate 263 atthe first lens group chamber 220, the STM mounting tube 230 moves as onewith the first lens group chamber 220 in the extended state and the STMmounting tube 230 is allowed to move relative to the first lens groupchamber 220 during a contracting operation, which makes it possible tominiaturize the interchangeable lens barrel 200A.

(6) The interchangeable lens barrel 200A includes the contact portion252 at the second lens group chamber 250 having a variable distance tothe STM mounting tube 230 along the optical axis OA. Via the contactportion 252 at the second lens group chamber 250, the STM mounting tube230 can be moved along a direction opposite from the one directionmentioned earlier against the force imparted by the coil spring 281. Asa result, the distance between the first lens group chamber 220 and thesecond lens group chamber 250 can be reduced, which ultimately makes itpossible to reduce the lens barrel length L.

The following variations are also within the scope of the presentinvention, and one or more of the variations may be adopted incombination with the second embodiment described above.

(Variation 1)

The sub guide bar 262 and the coil spring 282 mounted at the sub guidebar 262 do not need to be included. In addition, a DC motor or anultrasonic motor may be used in place of the AF stepping motor 270.Furthermore, the first lens group 223, the AF lens group 241 and thesecond lens group 251 may include a greater or smaller number of lensesthan those in the examples in the drawings.

(Variation 2)

The camera system 1 achieved in the embodiment described above includesa telescopic interchangeable lens that assumes a smaller lens barrellength when the camera is not in use. The camera achieved as a variationof the embodiment is a retractable-lens camera having a fixed lensbarrel that cannot be detached from the camera body. A retractable-lenscamera includes a mechanism whereby the lens barrel is partly orentirely housed inside the camera body when the camera is not in use andthe lens barrel projects out of the camera body when the camera is inuse.

Primary differences between the retractable-lens camera in variation 2and the telescopic interchangeable lens barrel achieved in theembodiment described above are that the STM mounting tube 230, the AFlens group chamber 240, the second lens group chamber 250 and the likein FIG. 9 are built into the camera body in the retractable-lens camera,which does not include the fixed tube 211 or the cam barrel 212, andthat the first lens group chamber 220 is driven along the optical axisvia an actuator (not shown).

When the retractable-lens camera is in use, the first lens group chamber220 projects out of the camera body and a zooming operation and afocusing operation are executed in this condition, in much the same wayas in the telescopic interchangeable lens barrel 200A achieved in theembodiment described earlier.

During a retracting operation, the first lens group chamber 220 in theretractable-lens camera is caused to move toward the second lens groupchamber 250 along the optical axis via an actuator (not shown). As thefirst lens group chamber 220 moves, the STM mounting tube 230 also movesalong the same direction until it comes into contact with the contactportion 252 at the second lens group chamber 250 and stops moving. Thefirst lens group chamber 220, continuously driven via the actuator (notshown), moves closer to the STM mounting tube 230 so as to reduce thedistance between the lens holding portion 222 and the first guide plate231 at the STM mounting tube 230. As a result, the first lens groupchamber 220, having projected out of the camera body while the camera isin use, enters a retracted state, in which the extent to which itprojects out is reduced or the extent of projection becomessubstantially equal to zero.

(Variation 3)

While the second lens group chamber 250 is fixed in the embodimentdescribed above, it may instead be configured so as to be allowed tomove along the optical axis OA.

(Variation 4)

While the left side is designated as the subject side and the right sideis designated as the image sensor side in FIGS. 9 through 12, 16 and 17in reference to which the embodiment has been explained, the left sideand the right side may instead be respectively designated as the imagesensor side and the subject side.

(Variation 5)

In the embodiment described above, the rack portion 242 is mounted atthe AF lens group chamber 240. The rack portion 242 is threaded so as tointerlock with the lead screw 271 of the AF stepping motor 270. As analternative, a threaded nut portion that interlocks with the lead screw271 may be disposed at the AF lens group chamber 240 in place of therack portion 242.

The second embodiment of the present invention described above alsoincludes the following aspects.

(1) The lens barrel in an eighth aspect comprises a first lens holdingmember that holds at least one first lens, a drive source that is linkedto the first lens holding member and drives the first lens holdingmember along a direction of an optical axis, a mounting member with thedrive source mounted thereat, which is allowed to move together with thedrive source along the optical axis, and a force-applying member thatapplies force to the mounting member in one direction along the opticalaxis.

(2) In a ninth aspect, the lens barrel in the eighth aspect includes asecond lens disposed at a position facing opposite the first lens on anobject side or on an image plane side, and a second lens holding memberthat holds the second lens and is allowed to move together with thesecond lens along the optical axis. The force-applying member isdisposed between the second lens holding member and the mounting member,and force is applied by the force-applying member to the second lensholding member along a direction opposite from the direction of theforce applied to the mounting member in the one direction running alongthe optical axis.

(3) In a tenth aspect, the lens barrel in the eighth aspect or the ninthaspect includes a guide member that guides the first lens holding memberand the mounting member so as to allow them to move along the opticalaxis. The guide member is a guide bar extending substantially parallelto the optical axis. The mounting member includes a pair of guide platesset apart from each other and having guide holes through which the guidebar passes, and a linking portion that links the pair of guide plateswith each other. The first lens holding member includes a guide holethrough which the guide bar passes, located between the pair of guideplates.

(4) In an 11th aspect, the lens barrel in any one of the eighth throughtenth aspects includes a second lens disposed at a position facingopposite the first lens on an object side or on an image plane side, asecond lens holding member that holds the second lens and is allowed tomove together with the second lens along the optical axis, and a guidemember fixed to the second lens holding member, which guides the firstlens holding member and the mounting member so as to allow them to movealong the optical axis.

(5) In a 12th aspect, the drive source in the lens barrel in any one ofthe eighth through 11th aspects includes a motor and a lead screwrotated by the motor, and the first lens holding member in the lensbarrel includes an interlocking portion that interlocks with the leadscrew.

(6) In a 13th aspect, the lens barrel in any one of the eighth through12th aspects includes a second lens disposed at a position facingopposite the first lens on an object side or on an image plane side, anda second lens holding member that holds the second lens and is allowedto move together with the second lens along the optical axis. The secondlens holding member includes a contact portion against which themounting member, with force applied thereto by the force-applying memberin the one direction along the optical axis, comes in contact.

(7) In a 14th aspect, the lens barrel in any one of the eighth through13th aspects includes a regulating member with a variable distance tothe mounting member along the optical axis. The regulating member iscapable of causing the mounting member to move along a directionopposite from the one direction against the force applied by theforce-applying member.

(8) In a 15th aspect, the regulating member in the lens barrel in the14th aspect is a lens holding member that holds a third lens. Theregulating member assumes a smaller distance to the mounting memberthrough a retracting operation or a contracting operation.

(9) An optical device in a 16th aspect includes the lens barrel in anyone of the eighth through 15th aspects.

While embodiments and variations thereof have been described above, thepresent invention is in no way limited to the particulars of theseexamples. Any other mode conceivable within the scope of the technicalteaching of the present invention is also within the scope of thepresent invention.

The disclosures of the following priority applications are hereinIncorporated by reference:

-   Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-116105 filed Jun. 10, 2016-   Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-116106 filed Jun. 10, 2016

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   1; camera system, 100; camera body, 200, 200A; interchangeable        lens barrel, 212; cam barrel, 220; first lens group chamber,        221; tube portion, 221 a, 233 a; cam follower, 222; lens holding        portion, 223; first lens group, 230; STM mounting tube, 231;        first guide plate, 232; second guide plate, 233; linking        portion, 240; AF lens group chamber, 241; AF lens group, 242;        rack portion, 250; second lens group chamber, 251; second lens        group, 252; contact portion, 261; main guide bar, 263; main        guide bar adjustment plate, 270; AF stepping motor, 271; lead        screw, 281, 282; coil spring

The invention claimed is:
 1. A lens barrel, comprising: a first lens; afirst tube that holds the first lens and is movable along an opticalaxis; a focusing lens disposed to face the first lens; an actuator thatdrives the focusing lens; a second tube that holds the focusing lens andthe actuator and has a first cam follower, the second tube being movablealong the optical axis; and a third tube having a first groove thatengages with the first cam follower, wherein the actuator and the secondtube are movable together with each other along the optical axis via thefirst cam follower, the focusing lens is movable relative to the secondtube along the optical axis by the actuator, the first tube and thesecond tube are movable along the optical axis independently of eachother, and the second tube does not directly hold a lens and/or a lensframe so that the focusing lens can move along the optical axis relativeto the second tube.
 2. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein nolens moves together with the second tube when zooming according to azoom operation of the lens barrel.
 3. The lens barrel according to claim1, wherein no lens moves with a movement trajectory that is the same asa movement trajectory of the second tube when zooming according to azoom operation of the lens barrel.
 4. A lens barrel, comprising: a firstlens; a first tube that holds the first lens and is movable along anoptical axis; a focusing lens disposed to face the first lens; anactuator that drives the focusing lens; a second tube that holds thefocusing lens and the actuator and has a first cam follower, the secondtube being movable along the optical axis; and a third tube having afirst groove that engages with the first cam follower, wherein theactuator and the second tube are movable together with each other alongthe optical axis via the first cam follower, the focusing lens ismovable relative to the second tube along the optical axis by theactuator, the first tube has a second cam follower, the third tube has asecond groove that engages with the second cam follower, and the secondtube does not directly hold a lens and/or a lens frame so that thefocusing lens can move along the optical axis relative to the secondtube.
 5. The lens barrel according to claim 4, wherein no lens movestogether with the second tube when zooming according to a zoom operationof the lens barrel.
 6. The lens barrel according to claim 4, wherein nolens moves with a movement trajectory that is the same as a movementtrajectory of the second tube when zooming according to a zoom operationof the lens barrel.
 7. The lens barrel according to claim 4, furthercomprising: a focusing lens frame that supports the focusing lens,wherein an engaging portion of the focusing lens frame is in contactwith a shaft of the actuator.
 8. The lens barrel according to claim 7,wherein the engaging portion has a thread that engages with the shaft.9. The lens barrel according to claim 7, further comprising: a nut thathas a thread that engages with the shaft.
 10. The lens barrel accordingto claim 4, further comprising: a focusing lens frame that supports thefocusing lens; and a shaft portion that guides the focusing lens frameand the second tube so as to be movable along the optical axis.
 11. Thelens barrel according to claim 10, wherein one side of the shaft portionis supported by the first tube.
 12. The lens barrel according to claim11, wherein another side of the shaft portion is supported by anadjustment plate; and the adjustment plate is fixed to the first tube.13. The lens barrel according to claim 1, further comprising aretraction mechanism.
 14. An image capturing device that includes thelens barrel of claim
 1. 15. A lens barrel, comprising: a first lens; afirst tube that holds the first lens and is movable along an opticalaxis; a focusing lens disposed to face the first lens; an actuator thatdrives the focusing lens; a second tube that holds the focusing lens andthe actuator and has a first cam follower, the second tube being movablealong the optical axis; and a third tube having a first groove thatengages with the first cam follower, wherein the actuator and the secondtube are movable together with each other along the optical axis via thefirst cam follower, the focusing lens is movable relative to the secondtube along the optical axis by the actuator, the third tube is rotatableaccording to a zooming operation, and the second tube does not directlyhold a lens and/or a lens frame so that the focusing lens can move alongthe optical axis relative to the second tube.
 16. The lens barrelaccording to claim 15, wherein no lens moves together with the secondtube when zooming according to the zoom operation.
 17. The lens barrelaccording to claim 15, wherein no lens moves with a movement trajectorythat is the same as a movement trajectory of the second tube whenzooming according to the zoom operation.